Washing your period underwear: tips and advice
The menstrual panty is a reusable hygiene product with lots of benefits. One of the main ones is that it’s washable and reusable!
Whatever your menstrual flow and however you use your period underwear, there are several steps you should know to properly care for your menstrual lingerie. Properly washed period panties will last much longer.
A well-washed period underwear can be used and worn for several years: 5 to 7 years. So, it lasts just as long as regular underwear. But what are the best practices for washing your period underwear? What washing and care routine should you follow to properly care for your period lingerie?
Hand wash or machine wash, tumble dry or air dry, homemade or store-bought detergent? Louloucup tells you everything you need to know to care for your Loulou panties and make them last as long as possible!
The 3 steps to gently care for your panties
Period panties are a very specific type of underwear that require special care. If you want your Loulou panties to last, we recommend reading the essential steps for washing your period panties.
1- Pre-wash or rinsing
The importance of rinsing your period underwear
Do you take off your underwear, thong, or boyshorts to put on a new one? Not planning to do laundry right away? The best move: rinse it with water.
Pre-washing your period underwear is important. It helps remove the blood that's been absorbed into the different fabric layers of your underwear. What does this involve?
How to pre-rinse your period panties
Just rinse your period underwear under clear, cold water. Let it soak, then gently wring it out. The best way is to press it between your hands to remove the water—avoid twisting it.
Repeat this process until the water is completely clear and there’s no more trace of blood. We stress how important it is to use cold water, not hot. Hot or very hot water damages your period underwear and reduces its absorbency. Hot water also sets blood stains in the fabric—which is exactly what you don’t want!
And what if I have a heavy flow?
Have you lost a lot of blood or do you have a heavy or hemorrhagic flow? Don’t hesitate to soak your underwear. Soaking in a basin of clear (but always cold) water is also an option.
2 - Washing your period underwear
A short wash cycle at 30°C
Your period is over, so you can gather all the underwear you wore during your menstruation and toss them in the wash. Don’t worry, it’s totally fine to mix your used period underwear with the rest of your laundry.
On the other hand, opt for a 30°C cycle to avoid damaging or weakening your underwear. It’s even better if you put your underwear in a lingerie bag! You can also select the delicate cycle (always at 30°C) and wash your underwear with your most fragile items.
Do you prefer to wash your period underwear by hand and avoid machine washing?
You can absolutely hand wash your period underwear. Use a gentle detergent to scrub the most exposed areas. Then rinse thoroughly with cold water.
Is there a laundry detergent that's better suited for your period panties?
We strongly encourage you to choose a natural detergent that’s gentle and as clean as possible in terms of ingredients. For your intimate health, your underwear, and the environment, it’s important to use more responsible, eco-friendly products. We also recommend avoiding glycerin-based detergents as they tend to clog the absorbent part of Loulou underwear.
Likewise, fabric softeners and conditioners, though very fragrant, are highly chemical and should be avoided. Instead, opt for a bit of white vinegar for its anti-limescale properties.
What about Marseille soap?
It’s in every homemade laundry detergent recipe! Economical and practical, the famous scrubbing soap is actually quite greasy and contains a lot of glycerin. Using it to wash your period panties isn’t the best idea. Over time, the glycerin clogs the fabric, making it less absorbent and less effective.
However—and fortunately for all the homemade laundry detergent fans—real Marseille soap is usually made with olive oil. These days, it’s harder to find, but not impossible. The key is to measure your soap carefully and always choose detergents with less than 15% glycerin.
If you make your own laundry detergent, look for fat-free recipes like ivy detergent or ash detergent.
3 - Air drying
Avoid all sources of heat
Skip the dryer. The heat can really damage the fabric of your period underwear. Once washed, simply hang your underwear to air dry. Avoid direct sunlight in very hot weather and don’t place your underwear on a radiator or near a fireplace. In short, your period underwear doesn’t like heat!
Lay flat to dry
Ideally, you should lay your underwear flat to dry. To prevent bacteria or unpleasant odors, we recommend waiting until your underwear is completely dry before wearing it again.
Mini FAQ: washing your period underwear
Noticing some stubborn discoloration spots?
It’s probably the acidity in your blood or vaginal discharge that’s discoloring the fabric of your underwear. It’s not a big deal, but it’s very hard to remove. You can safely use sodium percarbonate (available at hardware stores) when pre-washing. However, we can’t guarantee your underwear will return to its original state.
Do you notice a persistent blood odor?
Don’t hesitate to soak your period panties for several minutes during a pre-wash with a few drops of lavender essential oil or tea tree oil. Thanks to their antibacterial and antiseptic properties, bad odors will be eliminated.
Did you start a cycle at 40 or 60°C?
Remember, repeated washing with fabric softener or at too high a temperature will have irreversible consequences. So, a wash at 40°C isn’t the end of the world—don’t panic! Just don’t make it a habit.
You can now wash our Mia period underwear without damaging it!
You now have everything you need to properly wash your Louloucup period underwear. Still unsure? Got questions? We’re here to answer anything you want to know.
